Residents question infill guidelines

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This article was published 04/11/2019 (2546 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Infill housing is starting to become an issue in River Heights.

It’s quite commendable in some ways that potential new residents are getting the option to move into an existing neighbourhood as opposed to the urban sprawl of the suburbs. However there have to be some guidelines and some people feel the City of Winnipeg is not addressing them adequately.

Our neighbours in Tuxedo encountered controversy when someone applied to sub-divide a corner lot at the corner of Nanton and Handsart boulevards.

The City initially approved the request, however, after protests by neighbours the decision was reversed.

There have been similar concerns in River Heights. A new build on Montrose Street has raised some eyebrows. It’s a black three-storey house on a block of bungalow and two storey homes and it’s built much closer to the street than all the other houses. I’m sure it’s quite nice and not cheap, however locals are concerned that it’s not in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood.

We have read stories in the paper from Vancouver, where Asian investors are building huge monster houses on what were once small residential streets. We shouldn’t let that happen here in Winnipeg.

Developers are now trying to split lots that are 50-feet wide into two 25-foot lots where they can add an extra house. The City is ambivalent on this practise, and the guidelines seem to be vague and inconsistently applied.

A local group, RenfrewLanarkNeighbours, has risen to the challenge with a public mailout campaign and local city councilor John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) appears to be onboard (his website recently offered a survey on the issue).

What has particularly raised the ire of the neighbourhood group is a proposed lot split at 143 Renfrew St., which will be the subject of an appeal committee meeting at City Hall on Nov. 8 where it is hoped a precedent will be set.

I’ve seen infill houses here in River Heights that are very nice and perfectly in keeping with the neighbourhood. They are what we should be aiming for when opportunities arise. Nobody appreciates officials meddling with private development, however there are times when some municipal guidance is required.

Trevor Smith is a community correspondent for River Heights. You can contact him via email at smitht@mymts.net